[gmabli]

When I first got my car, I couldn't believe how close people would get when stopped at lights. Looking in the rearview mirror, it seemed as if others were practically in my trunk (boot).

Well, it happens way too often. Shure, there are loads of a#[email protected]*@ out there, but not that many. Now I realize its just the short back that gives that impression when looking in the rearview mirror.

Please tell me that others see this too and that I'm not completely surrounded by idiot drivers, or worse yet, that I'm terribly paranoid. Answer quick before the aliens eat my brain.

Thanks.

 

[05SLKMadMax]

I completely agree and experience the same feeling. Doesn't matter which mirror I view through or if it is night or daytime. Everyone appears to be closer to being right up my ass than they may really be! Drive fast! (but not too close) bobbyM [8D]

 

[Zut]

I too have noticed this but I believe that some people are actually tailgating me because they want to take a closer look at my baby! [8D]

 

[etyu]

I have the same experience but I think it is because of the short rear.

I plan to have someone stand immediately next to the rear bumper at home so I can gauge if the car behind me is too close or not. I usually have the daylight lamps on with auto on the light control switch to make sure that the other parties are aware of my presence and pray that they won't hit me.

 

[Julien]

I first noticed this 6 years ago in my S-2000 and thought the same thing. It is an optical illusion caused by the short rear end. People are actually no closer to your car than if you were driving a SUV. It just appears that way because they are actually closer to you and your prospective is distance to you and not the car.

 

[Easty]

I know i keep saying this but another tip from the bike riding.. Stop earlier than you need to, a few feet then, when they stop behind you edge up a bit. amazing how many canny be bothered closing up the gap.

 

[Tim_P]

Again, typing as a biker, I too leave that gap but don't creep forward, after all thats my 'escape' space should the idiot behind misjudge the gap.

 

[rickboy]

Julien is correct. Shortly after I got my slk I noticed the same thing. I suspected it might be due to the shortness of the slk. So, I did an experiment. I parked my wife's Volvo V70 and then parked our Honda van behind it at a distance of 5 ft. I noted how the van looked in the mirrors. Then I replaced the Volvo with the slk at 5 ft and took a look. Of course the van looked much closer because it was closer to the mirrors of the slk. There is also another dimension to this, which is truly an illusion. The slk is lower than the Volvo (and most other cars) so that the van loomed larger because of the height difference.

Rickboy

 

[CMiYC]

I noticed this "illusion" when backing into a parking space. I'd think I almost hit a wall only to realize there were several feet left.